NEVADA ARMENIAN AMERICANS WILL MAKE DIFFERENCE IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY SET FOR JANUARY 19TH

armradio.am
11.01.2008 10:43

The strong growth of the Armenian American community in Nevada will be
a factor in the upcoming Presidential primary slated for January 19,
2008. In a new development this Presidential election cycle, both the
Republican and Democratic Party primaries have been moved up the date
of the Nevada primary, bringing more attention and importance to the
Silver State’s upcoming primary.

A recent article in the Las Vegas Review Journal summed up the
increased relevance of Nevada in picking the next president. "The eyes
of the nation will be on the Silver State’s voters as never before in
2008, and those seeking the presidency of the United States will surely
be spending ample time in Nevada getting out their message and securing
support," remarked Las Vegas area Congresswoman Shelly Berkley (D-NV).

Since 1990, Nevada’s population and economy has grown at a remarkable
pace, as the state is the second fast growing in the country behind
only Arizona.

The 2006 census estimate puts the state’s population at approximately
2.5 million, a figure that has grown by more than 20% since 2000. The
state’s largest Armenian American advocacy group, the Armenian National
Committee of Nevada (Nevada ANC), estimates that the Armenian community
has increased five-fold over the last decade, with over 10,000 Armenian
Americans now residing in the state.

"Our community has continued to grow at a tremendous pace since the
last the presidential election in 2004," stated Nevada ANC Chairperson
Ara Shirinian.

"Armenian Americans will play an important role in the upcoming
presidential primary on January 19th. Clearly, we are all watching
the presidential race closely," he added.

Nevada is home to among the strongest supporters of Armenian American
issues in the US Congress. US Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Harry
Reid (D-NV; Senate Majority leader) are currently cosponsors of
the Armenian Genocide resolution (S. Res. 106), in addition to US
Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV-01) and Jon Porter (R-NV-03)
who have cosponsored H. Res. 106.

"Armenian-Americans throughout the United States are prepared to vote
in this pivotal and heated race," remarked ANCA-WR Executive Director,
Andrew Kzirian. "The outcome of the upcoming presidential election
will depend on mobilizing voters who care deeply about specific issues
that affect their communities," he added.